Prestonsburg, Kentucky sits at 623 feet above sea level in the eastern coal field region of the Appalachian Plateau. This mountainous area receives about 46 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest environments around camping areas. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with some offering year-round access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Paintsville Lake State Park Campground, the calm waters provide excellent conditions for catching multiple species. "The water was down so there were a lot of places to paddle onto the shore and wade fishing. Fishing was good with rooster tails and panther martin spinners (silver), 1/8 and 1/16 oz," notes one camper who found success during their stay.
Water recreation: The Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake offers unique water features not commonly found at other rv sites near Prestonsburg, Kentucky. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," reports Karen P., highlighting the family-friendly water amenities available.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds provide access to hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. At Twin Knobs Recreation Area, campers can access mountain biking trails directly from the campground and "go on a short hike up one of the knobs," though one visitor notes "there really isn't a good view at the top."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Yatesville Lake State Park Campground receives praise for its spacious arrangement. "One of my favorite Ky state campgrounds. Plenty of space between campsites," reports Cathi, while another camper notes the campground is "small, quiet, very clean and site are not crammed together."
Water access: Several campgrounds offer direct lake access for swimming and boating. At Twin Knobs Recreation Area, campers appreciate waterfront sites: "We stayed in one of the 'premium' sites, right on the water F19. The view was incredible."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained amenities at campgrounds near Prestonsburg. At Paintsville Lake, one camper noted "it's the cleanest I've ever seen!" regarding the bath house, while another appreciated that "the sites are spacious and level."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The mountainous terrain around Prestonsburg can experience sudden weather changes. "We stayed June 5th through June 9th and it rained every day, a lot. Our campsite (A-30) drained the rain off really well," reports a Twin Knobs camper, suggesting campers should prepare for precipitation.
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies significantly by carrier and location. At Zilpo Campground, one visitor noted "Internet service is spotty there– our Verizon hotspot worked ok, but the Sprint was super slow."
Wildlife awareness: Like most wooded camping areas, local wildlife is active. A camper at Backwoods Camping & RV Park mentioned "quiet nights (other than woodland animals)" indicating campers should expect natural sounds after dark and store food securely.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Water features are popular with younger visitors. At Oasis Point, "The kids loved it. We felt like VIP's with the way the owner took care of us. He was great and his staff was awesome," according to one family's experience.
Basketball courts: Some campgrounds offer sports facilities for older children. Twin Knobs Recreation Area provides basketball courts that teens particularly enjoy, with one visitor noting "All of the teens that were with us had a ball (hiking, biking, basketball, and fishing)."
Playground access: Middle Fork Campground at Natural Bridge State Resort Park includes playground equipment. "Great for kids, not super great for secluded camping," mentions one visitor, suggesting it's an excellent choice for families but perhaps not for those seeking isolation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites near Prestonsburg, Kentucky, consider your precise needs. At Oasis Point, "Our site was very level, maybe 1/2" low on the camp side. There is a good size lake for swimming," reports Dustin M., who specifically recommends site 20 in the 'Backyard' area.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup configurations. Valley Breeze RV Campground provides "Good amenities- electric/sewer/water hookup" but some visitors report limited stay durations, with one noting "I went to the office, asked for 4 nights, I have a 2021 travel trailer. He said 'overnight only'."
Navigation challenges: The winding mountain roads require careful driving with larger rigs. At Natural Bridge State Park, a visitor noted the "Small campgrounds with few spots" and mentioned "Not a lot of sites and most were reserved," suggesting advance booking is essential for RV campers.
